Gov. Ned Lamont has only been in office for a few months, but he is already announcing a major staff shake-up.

NBC Connecticut's Max Reiss is Lamont's new chief spokesman. He starts at the governor's office July 22.

Jonathan Harris, the former commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, briefly ran for governor himself. He will be Lamont's new senior advisor.

Harris replaces Colleen Flanagan Johnson. A former Gov. Malloy staffer tweeted in response, "There is now a shocking and disappointing lack of women on Gov. Lamont's senior staff."

Lamont responded saying, "I think most of our commissioners are women, certainly 50%. That's never happened before. We have the most diverse administration in the history of the state."

Lamont said Wednesday in Waterbury that the shake-up is not about cleaning house.

"As you know, Jonathan's been in the Capitol building, working with us on our legislative team for months now. And we've just sort of formalized that. And he's a good friend and I trust him," said Lamont.

Lamont's team has been criticized for being disorganized and sending out mixed messages, especially on the tolls issue. They're hoping Harris' connections at the state Capitol can finally get reluctant lawmakers on board.

Lamont's current press secretary is moving to a job in economic development in a position that was just created.